Dental cleanings are key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. During a dental cleaning, a dentist or dental hygienist will remove bacteria, plaque and tartar build-up from your teeth surfaces. They may also perform other preventive services during the same visit, such as dental sealants and fluoride treatments.

Types of dental cleanings
There are different types of dental cleanings, based on your needs. However, all have the same end goal to remove harmful bacteria and reduce your risk for dental issues.

Prophylaxis: This is a routine, preventive cleaning for people who have healthy teeth and gums overall. It is the most common type of dental cleaning.
Gross debridement: People who do not visit their dentist in over a year, or who have extensive plaque build-up can benefit from a gross debridement. It is similar to a typical prophylaxis, but it may take longer. The main purpose of debridement is to determine if there are any issues,which is not initially diagnosed before the dental cleaning.
Scaling and planing: Also known as a deep dental cleaning, scaling and root planing reaches deep beneath your gum line to flush out bacteria and hardened tartar (calculus) around your teeth roots. Dentists reserve this procedure for those with mild to moderate periodontitis (gum disease). Scaling and root planing is done using local anaesthesia.

How often should you get a dental cleaning?
People should schedule teeth cleanings at regular intervals recommended by their dentist. For many people, this will be every six months. However, that could change based on your unique oral health needs.
What is involved in a cleaning at the dentist?
Dental cleanings involve scaling and polishing the teeth. Depending on the requirement, the dentist may also recommend other diagnostic and preventive treatments.
Treatments commonly performed during a dental cleaning include:

Scaling
During this step, your dentist will use hand instruments called scalers to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth surfaces. In some instances, they may also use an ultrasonic scaler, which vibrates and sprays a jet of water. You might hear scraping sounds during this step, but it will not hurt.

Polishing
The dentist will polish the teeth using a soft rubber cup and a special paste or pumice. This removes the biofilm on your teeth surfaces and reduces plaque build-up without damaging the enamel.

Preventive treatments
• Depending on the oral health needs, the dentist may recommend other preventive services like dental sealants or fluoride treatments.
• If you have back teeth (premolars or molars) with deep grooves or crevices, dental sealants can help protect these areas from harmful, cavity-causing bacteria.
• Fluoride treatments help strengthen the enamel and reduce the risk for cavities. Children and adults alike can benefit from sealants and fluoride treatments.

What are the advantages of regular dental cleanings?
Routine dental cleanings offer a number of benefits, including:
• Reduced risk of serious oral health issues, like cavities and gum disease.
• Improved whole-body health. For years, healthcare providers have recognised the link between oral health and whole-body health. Routine teeth cleanings can help reduce the risk for heart disease, stroke and dementia.
• Bad breath prevention. Hardened plaque and tartar can cause bad breath. Routine cleanings can help keep halitosis at bay by removing harmful microbes (microorganisms that cause disease) from the teeth surfaces.
• Reduced cost. Preventive dental care, such as dental cleanings, help stop issues before they start. This can save you a lot of time, worry and money in the long run.

What are the risks or complications of routine dental cleanings?
• Dental cleanings are safe and effective. While there are not any risks or complications, you may experience some temporary side effects, such as teeth sensitivity or sore gums.
• To manage discomfort, take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Tenderness should go away in a few days.